Savita’s husband ‘not made aware’ report is being published

Solicitor for Praveen Halappanavar says lack of communication is disrespectful

Savita Halappanavar’s husband Praveen is reportedly not aware that the report into his wife’s death is being published today. Photograph: Brenda Fitzsimons/The Irish Times

Savita Halappanavar’s husband Praveen was not made aware the Health Service Executive (HSE) clinical review report into his wife’s death is being published today, his solicitor has said.

Gerard O’Donnell said it was “disrespectful to him (Praveen) and to his late wife” that the HSE has decided to publish the 108-page report without informing him first.

Mr Halappanavar is currently out of the country. Mr O’Donnell received a copy of the report by email late last night.

Mr O’Donnell told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland he understood from the chairman of the clinical review committee a draft copy of the report would be circulated to Mr Halappanavar in advance of it being made publicly available. “That did not happen,” Mr O’Donnell said.

He also criticised the perceived rush to get it published.

He said the report bore out what Mr Halappanavar said all along about significant shortcomings across the board which resulted in his wife’s death at University College Hospital Galway (UCHG) last October.

He was not surprised that no names had been mentioned in the report. Mr O’Donnell pointed that those responsible for her care had been mentioned in the inquest into Mrs Halappanavar’s death.

Minister for Health James Reilly said his office sent an email on Monday inviting Mr Halappanavar to meet in relation to the report. “I am still available,” he added.

Dr Reilly said the reason the report is being published today is because the chairman of the clinical review committee Prof Sabaratnam Arulkumaran had to be present and he is available.

Media reports today suggest the final report will state inadequate monitoring contributed to her death.

The report outlines a number of failed opportunities to deal with her condition.

The report will be published this afternoon.

Mrs Halappanavar (31), died on October 28th last year at Galway University Hospital. She was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to the hospital a week earlier undergoing a miscarriage. She suffered from septicaemia. Her husband has maintained that she repeatedly requested a termination but was refused because a foetal heartbeat was present.